Park Name and Amenities

Named in honor of Atoka-native and World War I Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Joseph B. Adkison, Atoka's Adkison Park is located in the
heart of the community along state route 206 and offers a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life in the mid-South.

At just over an acre, Adkison Park is the smallest park in the current park system. Adkison Park features a 1/8 mile asphalt walking track, a small playground feature, benches and picnic tables. The Bobby McDill Scout Hut - the home base of Boy Scout Troop 60 - is located within the park.

Notable Places at Adkison Park

In honor of the Atoka Centennial Celebration in 2011, a memorial brick plaza was added to Adkison Park. The plaza, surrounding the central flagpole and featuring more than 120 bricks dedicated to Atokans past and present, offers a place of quiet reflection surrounding the park memorial.

The central feature, however, of Adkison Park is a monument and plaza area dedicated to Sgt. Adkison. The monument, rededicated by the Town in 2013, recognizes Adkison's heroics in September, 1918 near Bellicourt, France. The inscription on the plaque, quoting the medal citation, reads :

"When murderous machinegun fire at a range of 50 yards had made it impossible for his platoon to advance, and had caused the platoon to take cover Sergeant. Adkison alone, with the greatest intrepidity, rushed across the 50 yards of open ground directly into the face of the hostile machinegun kicked the gun from the parapet into the enemy trench, and at the point of the bayonet captured the 3 men manning the gun. The gallantry and quick decision of this soldier enabled the platoon to resume its advance."

Annual Events at Adkison Park

In 2012, Atoka launched a new tradition at Adkison Park as the large, central tree in the park was adorned with more than 1,200 lights and the community gathered for a tree lighting ceremony. Carols, cookies, cocoa and a visit from Santa make this event a great way to ring in the holiday season.

A central gathering place for Atokans through the years, Adkison Park still brings out the small-town charm and simple, comfortable lifestyle that makes Atoka a great place to call home.